The Nutcracker and The Mouse King - Short Story for Kids

The Nutcracker is partially based on the fairy tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann, which tells the story of a girl who meets a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and engages in combat with the wicked Mouse King. Hoffmann had an impact much beyond the relatively restricted field of the Gothic novel. His works had a significant impact on the rise of the psychological novel in the second half of the nineteenth century. 

Nutcracker Short Story

There was a little girl named Marie who lived in a not too distant region. Marie enjoyed dancing, drawing, and playing games. But Marie loved Christmas more than anything else.

One year, Marie's father and mother had a party on Christmas Eve. The kids tore away the colourful paper of the gifts as soon as it was time to unwrap them. What a find they made! There were large cuddly animal toys, beautiful porcelain dolls, and bright brass trumpets.

The godfather of Marie was Herr Drosselmeyer. He was a really strange man, Herr Drosselmeyer. His long white hair protruded wildly from his head, and a black patch covered his right eye.

Additionally, Herr Drosselmeyer was a master toymaker, which was a highly unique talent. Herr Drosselmeyer was giving Marie a unique gift this Christmas.

Marie with The Nutcracker Doll

The kids were alarmed when Herr Drosselmeyer abruptly showed up. She joyfully hurried over to offer him a hug. The nicest gift of all was then given to her by him.

What did you receive? As Marie hurriedly opened the little package, the kids gathered around. Marie exclaimed, "Ooooh! What a charming little dude!" The little toy was a Nutcracker. 

He had on a soldier's uniform. His lips moved back and forth, his teeth were sharp enough to crack even the toughest nuts. Marie's brother Fritz seized the nutcracker and took off. Marie started to follow him. Fritz accidentally dropped the small toy in the commotion. “Oh no!”, Marie said. "He's damaged".

“My kid, come immediately," said Herr Drosselmeyer. "He will be okay. I'll simply put my handkerchief around his head to prevent him from speaking, you see. Not to worry. The next morning, he'll be in like-new condition. 

Though she continued to sniffle, Marie felt better. She had some hope that Herr Drosselmeyer was correct.

The clock struck midnight just then. Marie quickly swung around. An owl was sitting there on top of the clock. Additionally, the owl oddly resembled Herr Drosselmeyer.

Marie was pressed for time to consider this. 

Strange events of every kind were occurring simultaneously. The Christmas tree continued to rise in height. The space became bigger. And the toys, which were lying all over the tree, started to move. The dolls, soldiers, and even the Nutcracker were all reviving!

Strange squeaks, creaks, and rustling noises were audible to her. An army of enormous grey mice suddenly appeared. Marie was now quite terrified.

The Mice King

The Nutcracker acted without delay. He took hold of a plastic sword and commanded his army of tin warriors to fight the mice. It was a bloody struggle. The little troops battled valiantly and so did the mice.

The Nutcracker was challenged to a duel by the Mouse King. The Nutcracker made his best effort to fight. But he started to lose. Marie tossed her slipper at the Mouse King in terror. He chased after Marie as he was indignant. 

The poor girl fell unconscious due to fear. The Nutcracker heroically murdered the Mouse King at that precise moment. The Nutcracker became a young prince and started telling her a story.

The Nutcracker and Toy Land

The mouse queen used to hide out in a palace a long time ago. She fell victim to the king's ordered trap one day and lost her seven boys. The princes were under the curse. If she managed to free the mouse princes, she could only reverse the spell's toughest nutshell. The prince, however, was affected by the magic and turned ugly.

Marie began to think that her ugly nutcracker was the story's prince after hearing it. Marie eventually became the princess of Toy Land and lived happily with her prince.

Summary

The Nutcracker is partially based on the fairy tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann, which tells the tale of a girl who meets a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and engages in combat with the wicked Mouse King.